2018 Asian Games: 10 hot athletes to watch

Come 18 August, sports fans will be spirited in national pride as they support their favourite athtletes in the upcoming 2018 Asian Games. Also known as Jakarta Palembang 2018, the pan-Asian multi-sport event will see some of our own 260 local athletes competing in 21 sporting events held in Indonesia. Gold medals will be great of course, but before anything commences, here's some eye candy from the games to enjoy.

Welson Sim21 years old | Malaysia | SwimmingThe first Malaysian to qualify for the Olympics under the "A" category in two events - the 200 meter and 400 meter freestyle, Welson Sim has also beaten Olympic champion, Mack Horton twice in the Victorian Open Championships and the Monaco leg of the Mare Nostrum tour last year.

Gaurav Solanki21 years old | India | BoxingHailing from the humble village of Bhallawgad, Gaurav Solanki's father sold his 50-yard plot of land to support the national boxer's career. A promising athlete and a rising star performer, Solanki claimed a gold medal on his Commonwealth Games debut this year.

Brandon Ooi24 years old | Singapore | CanoeingWith aims to become the nation's first male paddler at the Olympics, Brandon Ooi has consistently proved his mark with achievements in the SEA games, World Championships and Asian Canoeing Championships.

Ng Kiu Chung26 years old | Hong Kong | GymanasticsThe first gymnast to clinch a world class medal in Hong Kong history, Ng Kiu Chung is one of the top elite national gymnasts and a qualified coach for the Federation International of Gymnastics with two World Cup medals and two Asian Championship medals to his name.

Ernest Obiena22 years old | Philipines | AthleticsBorn to track and field athletes, Emerson and Jeanette Obiena, Ernest Obiena trained under his father to become the Filipino Pole Vaulter he is today. He holds all four major national Pole Vault records and has also beaten the Philippines National Records 16 times.

Heo Jun30 years old | Korea | FencingThe South Korean foil fencer entered the sport based on his mother's suggestion and hasn't stopped since middle school. Heo Jun has since carved out a career of winnings at zone championships, world cups and even a prestigious medal at the world championship just last month.

Kento Momota23 years old | Japan | BadmintonHaving recently defeated China's highly promising Shi Yuqi in straight sets to become the first Japanese man to win the World Championships, Kento Momota is set to be the next legend in the badminton realm.

Mahesh Mangaonkar24 years old | India | SquashCurrently ranked No. 3 in India, the squash player was part of the Indian men's squash team that clinched the gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea. Again a member of the nation's representative team this year, Mahesh Mangoankar aims to repeat the feat.

Quah Zheng Wen21 years old | Singapore | SwimmingContesting in the Olympics when he was only 15-years-old, Quah Zheng Wen has competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Regionally, he has competed in twelve events at the 2015 SEA Games and won a medal in all twelve events.

Neeraj Chopra20 years old | India | AthleticsThe country's first under-20 World champion and the first Commonwealth Games javelin gold medallist, Neeraj Chopra recently added another gold medal from the Sotteville Athletics meet to his collection from the 2016 SEA games and 2017 Asian Athletic Championships.